A liberation army released two videos of a former Jetstar pilot after kidnapping him.
On February 7, 2023, New Zealand pilot, Phillip Mehrtens, landed a small commercial passenger plane at Paro airport in Nduga, the West Papua region of Indonesia.
He was expecting to pick up 15 construction workers but instead, he was kidnapped by the West Papua Liberation Army and held captive for a year-and-a-half.
The construction workers had been building a health centre in Nduga district but after their lives were threatened, Mehrtens was sent to evacuate them.
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As the plane touched down, rebels boarded it, 'seized' the pilot and 'set fire' to the plane - the five passengers reportedly set free as a result of being indigenous Papuans.
A video shared online showed the plane burning alongside people standing in the forest armed with bows and arrows, as well as guns.
Mehrtens was captured stood next to a rebel who said: "I took him hostage for Papua independence, not for food or drinks. He will be safe with me as long as Indonesia does not use its arms, either from the air or on the ground."
However, that's not the only footage which was released which showed the former Jetstar pilot during his time in captivity.
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A video released in May showed Mehrtens surrounding by rebels with guns, the pilot holding a banned Morning Star flag - a symbol of the independence of Papuan.
Mehrtens appeared weak and thin, telling the camera the West Papua Liberation Army wanted other countries to enter discussions about Papua being made independent 'within two months' or else they'd 'shoot' him, as reported by Sky News.
Another video followed in December, showing Mehrtens reassuring loved ones and authorities he was being 'treated well' and was 'okay'.
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In the video message he said he was trying to 'stay positive' and told his wife and son he 'love[d] [them] lots' and hoped to talk to them soon.
In February 2024, a year since Mehrtens was first captured, the rebel group announced it would free him in a bid to 'protect humanity and safeguard human rights'.
Mehrtens was eventually freed 19 months after he was first kidnapped. During a news conference at the time he was set free, he said: "I am so happy. Today I finally got out. I am so happy to be back home with my family soon. Thank you to everyone who helped me get out safely and healthy."
Topics: Travel, World News, Pilot
Poppy Bilderbeck